Athens Half Marathon Pre-Race Worship Service

We held our first-ever worship service in our newly remodeled courtyard at 6:00 this morning, hosting worshipers from the community of runners and race volunteers. Many attendees were from other churches, even other cities.

 Some time for fellowship after the service before the start of the race.

Between 50 and 60 people attended the service. From those attending who weren't First Presbyterian members, we heard complements about the facility and thanks for making the service available to the community.

Race photos:  I've put photos of the race start, finish line, and activities in the finish area on Flickr.  Here's a link to a slideshow. 

Athens Half Marathon Pre-Race Community Worship Service

On Sunday, October 24 at 6:00 a.m., First Presbyterian Church will be hosting a community pre-race worship service in conjunction with the Athens Half Marathon. The Rev. Julie D. Thompson and The Rev. Bob Googe will lead a a brief 15-20 minute worship service before they line up to run the marathon. All runners, volunteers, and fans from the community are invited. Join us on the front steps, just a block from the start, at the corner of College and E. Hancock Avenues! The entire community is welcome.

The inaugural AthFest Athens Half Marathon will begin and end downtown on Sunday, October 24. Proceeds from the race will benefit AthFest’s music and arts education programs in local schools. The race begins at 7:00 a.m. at the corner of Washington St. and College Ave. It will wind through the UGA campus, along the North Oconee River, through several of Athens’ distinctive neighborhoods, before returning to downtown for the finish. For maps of the race course, click here.

More than a dozen First Presbyterian Church members have entered to run, including Mary Attaway, John Brantley, John Carey, DeeAnn Cox, Bertis Downs, Bob Googe, Steve Havick, Gisela Hodgson, Denise Horton, Tommy Jackson, Evan McGown, April McLean, Andy Osborne, Julie Osborne, Bryan Owens, Ally Simmons, Julie Thompson, Sam Thompson, and Andy Whitehead. Most of them will be crossing the Washington St. finish line between 8:45 and 9:30 a.m.

Our Outreach Division has pledged 15 volunteers from our congregation to help at the starting line and finish line on race day. Drew and Elizabeth Brantley will serve as captains for First Presbyterian volunteers, including Tyler Brantley, Addie Downs, Ann Dunn, Jimmy Klein, Jessica Owens, Rick Simpson, Megan Sperr, and Chuck Toney.